Outer Limits 4x4 Board

What after market gear is available for the current shape grand Vitara? Ive found one with the right price and Kms for the wife but dont wanna get something i cant get lifts or lockers for.

This is it here.

cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBa...PIC&ih=012

Cheers B4T

Mild lifts only. No lockers AFAIK.

Seriously, put your hand on your heart and tell me your wife needs to drive a lifted, locked 4WD?

She may well, and I'm not having a go, but the new GV is a fairly light duty car. If you really need the added ROAD traction of AWD by all means look at an new GV, or a Forester or something, but trying to offroad a new GV anywhere a lift or lockers is required is likely to end in a broken GV and an angry wife for messing up HER car.

JMHO.

Steve.

suspension..mmm...maybe.......lockers don't hold your breath.......bullbar don't hold your breath.

thats what i thought. have found both a 2004 GV and this 2005 GV for about the same $$. She likes the newer one a little better as it has more space in the backseat. (Not that we ever get in the back anymore)

You've got the option of the XL-7 in the old shape as well. The second (middle row) seats are on rails and can be slid fwds/bckwds which should give more space than a normal GV; and if you remove the rear row seats completely you get bucket loads of cargo space.

A word of warning though- stock they are VERY average to drive. Budget for new shocks and tyres (if the stock Bridgestone D687's are still fitted.) That will make it a totally different vehicle to drive.

It really comes down to what you want out of the vehicle. I got a 2008 GV for the Mrs and we both love it. I hadn't had a 4wd for a few years (after owning a pootrol and a surf in the past) and the GV got me excited about 4wding again. In fact i liked it so much i swapped my car for a 2004 GV.

The differences between them (the 2008 and 2004) are significant. The 08 is unreal to drive because it's permanent 4wd. It just feels super stable and responsive. The 08 has a heap more space than the 04.

The 04 has more options as far as 4wd parts are concerned. It's also a fun drive but it is a lot smaller.

I have had the 08 on the beach (lots) and in the the bush. Rocks and mud. It handled it all ok but but i didn't do anything hardcore. So far i have only had the 04 on the beach and on firetrails. It also goes well. The 04 will get lifted a bit so I can get bigger rubber on it.

For the 1st time i got the 08 bogged the other day. I can to a place on the beach where 3 tracks meet and the sand was super dry and churned up badly. I slowed down too much because kids were about and then lost momentum and it dug in. I got out the shovel and dropped the presure from 16psi to 13psi. I managed to reverse it out about 5 meters but could not get back up the track (it was up hill) in reverse. Luckily the 5m run up and lower pressure got me through, in the deepest of ruts it was bottoming out a fair bit so i made sure i kept the momentum going.

Both are still on stock rubber so i have fears for how the 04 would have handled it as the stock tyre is only 235/60/16. It is lighter though so it may be ok.

Of course when i was bogged all the parents of the kids just sat and watched me dig. I did a couple of blokes for a push and they couldn't be arsed (fcuken fat bastards)! At least with GVs they are small enough that two blokes push (or rocking) does help a fair bit. I had to drive that again on the way out and had no trouble at all.... momentum is your friend! as are lower pressures.

mike

Hi

for the new model you can get ( 4x4 parts )

Snorkel
2inch lift
Sliders , side steps
bash plates ( front, transfer case, rear diff )
Big tyres ( fits bigger tyres than 04 model )
Bull bar ( Alloy )

no diff lock yet but its best to get one with traction control.

with a little right foot and the ground clearance of a lift and big tyres they will go a long way